It may be tough to recognize the UCLA men’s basketball team that won last season’s Pac-12 tournament title when the Bruins take the floor at Pauley Pavilion Friday for their season opener against Montana State. Read more...

Photo: Senior guard Norman Powell will enter UCLA’s season as the only remaining starter from last year’s season after the departure of guard Jordan Adams, guard/forward Kyle Anderson, forward Travis Wear and forward David Wear. Powell will now be looked upon as the team’s primary scoring option, a role he hasn’t taken up since high school. (Austin Yu/Daily Bruin senior staff)

UCLA is a team that is, admittedly, under construction. It’s a team filled with new faces, without an identity. Still, men’s basketball coach Steve Alford is hesitant to use that dreaded “R-word.” “I hope it’s not ‘rebuilding’ – I hope that foundation was laid (last year),” Alford said. Read more...

Photo: After playing an exhibition game against Azusa Pacific and a scrimmage so far this season, senior guard Norman Powell said that using the defense as a way to catalyze fast breaks is key. (Austin Yu/Daily Bruin senior staff)